The Husband I Thought Was Dead Has Returned - Chapter 71

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Husband Who Should Have Died Returns Episode 071
Countess Yotlrey tapped her foot impatiently.
“Why haven’t I heard anything? Should I go find her again?”
After all I’ve done, I should have received some response from Roana’s side, yet there was nothing but silence.
I even gave her a hint about purchasing medicine from the Textile Merchant Shop—shouldn’t she be doing something with that information?
In any direction, really.
She could investigate further to pressure Countess Caslit and seize her position, or contact the North to appeal on my behalf.
Countess Yotlrey bit her nails.
Since the string snapped and she became a useless gourd, no one sought her out anymore. Countess Yotlrey had been isolated all this time, sinking deeper into obscurity.
The anxiety made her heart shrivel with dread.
‘I cannot crumble like this!’
This won’t do. I need to go peck at the Duchess myself. Just as I was about to rise with that thought, a visitor arrived.
It was a visit devoid of courtesy, yet Countess Yotlrey nearly cried out in jubilation simply because someone had sought her out.
“Who has come?”
“Countess Caslit, madam.”
The moment Countess Yotlrey learned the identity of her guest, she let out a short gasp.
Finally!
Her prayers had been answered!
“Show her in at once. Bring out the finest tea—and you know, that one I prepared before!”
“Yes, I shall do so immediately.”
Having instructed her servants to prepare the high-mountain tea that Countess Caslit favored, Countess Yotlrey hastily adjusted her appearance.
It was a gift Roana had given her.
Roana’s approach to Countess Caslit had clearly borne fruit. My heart was pounding with excitement.
“Oh, it has been quite some time, madam.”
Countess Yotlrey greeted her with deference. Regardless of rank, the power that Countess Caslit wielded bore down upon her.
“Indeed it has. I’m glad to see you’ve been well.”
Countess Caslit smiled coldly.
“Well? That is hardly the case! You cannot imagine how much I have reflected upon my failings….”
“Reflection? Reflection on your incompetence? Can such things truly be resolved through reflection?”
Countess Caslit sneered. Countess Yotlrey bit the inside of her cheek and clenched her fists.
“I hear you’ve been cultivating friendship with the mistress of Bereidan lately.”
“Indeed!”
Countess Yotlrey spoke with wide eyes.
“How could I forget that the Duchess of Bereidan is the daughter of Hejest? The Duchess of Bereidan herself has made no secret of her favor toward you, Countess Caslit.”
Countess Yotlrey spoke eagerly. Her heart raced. This was an opportunity to climb back into the mainstream.
This wretched Southern Region.
Since the mistress’s absence, High Society had been in decline. The noblewomen dug into their own wells while rotting from within, and the future remained obscured.
Even in the Central Region, being from the South meant facing constant dismissal. But the North—how different it was.
Under the mistress’s leadership, it advanced toward a rosy future. The South had no future. That is why Countess Yotlrey sought to ride upon the North’s prosperity.
“Is that what she said?”
“Of course! As the daughter of Hejest, she wished to be of service. She was resolute in her determination to aid Countess Caslit and achieve our greater cause!”
Countess Caslit narrowed her eyes and regarded her with a scoff.
“That’s hardly likely.”
“Pardon?”
“I said it’s hardly likely. You truly lack discernment, don’t you?”
Countess Yotlrey blinked at the rebuke, having never anticipated such criticism.
“W-what do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said. That woman is nothing but a stray beast.”
Countess Yotlrey trembled at those words.
“The Duchess of Hejest herself ordered that woman’s death. Her demise is part of our cause.”
“That can’t be… I’ve only been trying to gain Countess Caslit’s favor all this time…”
Countess Yotlrey murmured hollowly. All her efforts had come to nothing.
Her stomach felt as though it had been clawed raw. Indignation burned within her.
“How easily deceived.”
Countess Caslit narrowed her eyes in thought. Now that she considered it, the Count and Countess Bruarte had joined the Liansherus Society around that time.
If Roana had sought to obtain Countess Caslit’s information because of them…
‘She’s planted someone among us.’
Countess Caslit twisted her lips into a smile.
She’d already harbored suspicions, so the revelation struck no particular blow. If they’d fallen into the layered traps she’d set, all the better.
Of course, the Bruarte couple might be innocent. It was worth keeping open the possibility that the audacious Roana had approached others as well.
“What a mad woman!”
Countess Yotlrey spat out a curse.
“I truly, without question, never intended to betray you, Countess!”
At the shrill tone, Countess Caslit frowned.
“It seems that way. I came here because I thought there might be something you could do for us. Fortunately, you say you’re not close to Roana…”
“Of course not!”
“Good. Now listen carefully to what I’m about to tell you, Countess Yotlrey. If you truly fulfill what the Duchess of Hejest desires, you’ll surely be forgiven.”
Countess Yotlrey nodded, her eyes blazing with renewed fervor.
“You mentioned before that you have an acquaintance at the Temple?”
“Yes. A distant relative on my mother’s side is a Priest there. His name is Cassian.”
“I’ll need to make use of that connection.”
Countess Caslit narrowed her eyes and smiled. No matter how much one served at the Temple, it was difficult to penetrate its inner sanctum. In times like these, connections were invaluable.
She’d sought out Countess Yotlrey because she needed something.
In the process, she’d also gleaned a hint that information might have been leaked.
“But you haven’t carelessly shared information with the mistress of Bereidan, have you?”
She tightened the leash on her dog without hesitation.
“O-of course not.”
Countess Yotlrey smiled with exaggerated sincerity, keeping her unfavorable secrets buried.
‘This is my second chance!’
Countess Yotlrey swallowed her conscience.
“I merely provided information that Countess Caslit would find favorable.”
“Well, if that’s all it was.”
Countess Yotlrey had completely erased the events of the other day from her mind. As though they had never occurred at all.
“You mentioned needing the Priest’s assistance, didn’t you? As it happens, Cassian’s family is receiving my patronage. I’m certain I can be of help.”
The nature of Countess Yotlrey—one who would do anything to climb higher—shone brilliantly.
“Moreover, Cassian’s younger sister is quite ill at present. She requires expensive medicine regularly, so his entire salary goes toward her care. When there’s a sick person in the household, expenses do mount considerably, don’t they?”
Countess Yotlrey bit back a cold smile.
“Thank you, Countess Yotlrey. This will make things much easier. And one more thing—I’d like to obtain explosives.”
“Explosives?”
“A form of insurance, so to speak.”
Should Bruate or anyone else betray us and leak information, Bereidan’s forces would converge upon the Temple.
Burying them all beneath it would be ideal.
‘A fitting end for those rats.’
Countess Caslit bit back a blood-red smile. And that was merely the beginning—explosives had many uses indeed.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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